Derek is having the time of his life. He’s been on runs like this with Luke, and they’ve wrestled like puppies even if they probably wouldn’t admit it when they back in their skin, and he enjoys them immensely. But there’s something about Bitty’s endless enthusiasm and pure, radiant joy that is really getting to Derek and making him feel better than he has in months.

Bitty pounces on him, taking him down into the leaves, and Derek lets out a playful growl before pushing Bitty off of him with his back feet, springing back onto his paws with his tail wagging like mad.

And then, just because he’s so happy, he tosses his head back and lets out a long, loud, celebratory howl.